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The under-secretary for gender equality, Marlène Schiappa, is working with a party of four other Members of Parliament to draw up legislation that will make public harassment and intimidation illegal.

The politicians will also decide what penalties offenders should face.

"The idea is to characterize street harassment so that the police can impose fines on men who follow women on the streets, intimidate them and harass them in public space,” Schiappa told local newspapers.

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French MP Marlene Schiappa

"It is a cultural struggle to bring down the tacit consensus of acceptance of violence."

The clampdown comes after the publications of surveys showing that practically all French women have been harassed on public transport, in the street or elsewhere at some time.

President Macron had previously pledged to end the problem during his election campaign this year.

Schiappa — who came into prominence with her blog for working mothers — has previously fought for men who harass women in public to be handed fines.

"Twenty euros would be a bit humiliating, €5,000 would be more of a deterrent," the 34-year-old politician told The Guardianearlier this year.

She stated that consensual flirting between men and women would obviously not become illegal, adding: “Talking to someone and asking for [a number] will not be considered harassment."